“I am different! I am not superficial. From all that I have seen, known, and experienced over all these years, I can guarantee, ahhh!” Meng Xueran wailed in pain as the silver needle sank a fraction deeper into Mei Jinshu’s fingertips before being pulled back out.
“Imperial Father-in-law, did you do that on purpose?!”
“Say one more word and I will needle you to death.”
“Did I say the wrong thing again?”
“No, I just find you annoying. Do not get into physical fights with anyone these days, and behave yourself.” After retrieving the silver needles, Mei Jinshu casually helped him tie the loosened sash of his outer robe, let out a yawn, and prepared to go back to sleep. “Are you not getting up?”
“Can you let me sleep here tonight?” Meng Xueran gazed at him with pleading eyes, blinking like a puppy wagging its tail at its master, begging for nothing more than to sleep beside him.
Mei Jinshu wore a tight-lipped, insincere smile, and the next second, he kicked the man right out the door: “Get lost!”
The heavy double doors slammed shut with a gust of wind generated by internal energy. Meng Xueran narrowly avoided being kicked to death, rubbed his rear, and trudged back toward the Plum Cottage. Why was his adoptive father so fierce? He just wanted to stay over for a single night, was that really so unacceptable?
The next day, the Marquis of Yi’s estate sent someone as promised to deliver Bai Tang’s deed of sale.
“You are free, Lady Bai Tang.” Mei Jinshu returned the deed, stamped with her fingerprints and name, to her and kindly advised, “You should not return to Fanghua Academy for the time being, so as to avoid running into Princess Shangning.”
Overcome with gratitude, Bai Tang gripped the deed tightly and moved to kowtow in thanks, only to be caught and helped up by Mei Jinshu. Her voice trembled with emotion: “I have no way to repay such great kindness; this life of Bai Tang belongs entirely to My Lord.”
Mei Jinshu said, “Why on earth would I want your life? Just settle down and stay safely in the estate.”
Bai Tang said, “I am willing to serve as a slave and maid for the rest of my life to repay My Lord!”
“Really, there is no need to repay me like that.” Mei Jinshu abruptly shoved Meng Xueran forward, pointed at him, and said, “Your true benefactor is right here. It was Mei Shiyi who fought to retrieve your deed, so he is the one you should repay the most.”
“As for serving as a slave, a maid, or offering yourself in marriage, you two can discuss that amongst yourselves. No need to report back to me.”
“Imperial Father-in-law, you…”
“Oh, just seize the opportunity!”
“Imperial Father-in-law, I am not trying to do that.”
“Ye Ting, it is time to head to court, why aren’t you driving the carriage yet!” Without looking back, Mei Jinshu climbed into the carriage, whipped the horses into a gallop, and sped away without listening to another word from the people behind him.
Meng Xueran said awkwardly, “My adoptive father is just that kind of charitable person. Feel free to stay here in peace. It is best not to wander around blindly these days, lest you provoke Bu Jinyu.”
Bai Tang said, “You must be careful too. The Princess must surely harbor hatred toward the both of us in her heart right now.”
Meng Xueran said, “As for her, she cannot do anything to me. Now that you are free, you can plan more for your own future from now on. You no longer need to worry about your brother’s safety; everything is in the past.”
“Yes, everything is in the past.” Bai Tang handed him a prepared food box and saw him off onto the carriage. “These were made for you and Shiyi.”
Mei Shiyi picked up the food box and said, “Thank you.”
One had to admit that after such an absurd farce, Fanghua Academy was much more peaceful than usual. At least that pest Bu Jinyu was nowhere to be seen; she was presumably grounded.
Meng Xueran dearly wished he would never lay eyes on her again for the rest of his life. Life without her was downright comfortable, and since he was about to leave Fanghua Academy anyway, once his studies concluded, he would be completely rid of her.
What he needed to do right now was enter the palace to see his Imperial Father, personally force him to retract the imperial decree, and call off this marriage match.
He didn’t understand why he had to be sacrificed to balance the power of the Empress’s faction. Was it simply because of his current humble status? Or perhaps it was meant as a pretext to suppress the Marquis of Yi’s estate.
From start to finish, he was merely a chess piece played at will. Aside from Mei Jinshu, who else would care whether he lived or died, whether he was injured, or whether he was in pain?
Today’s lesson went disastrously for him once again. Master Su called him forward by name to play the zither, but he was completely clueless, and his ten fingers felt as though they were about to be rubbed raw by the strings.
In order to teach every student properly, Su Yixun had no choice but to carve out extra time at the end of the lesson to give him private instruction.
“How about I slowly study it on my own? I guarantee I won’t ruin your reputation!” Meng Xueran found the learning process excruciating. The tunes he played were completely out of whack, sounding like ghosts wailing, and his fingers were cramping up.
“Forget it.” Seeing that he genuinely couldn’t grasp it, Su Yixun had no choice but to give up. “That is all for today.”
Meng Xueran asked, “Then am I free to leave?”
“Mn.” Su Yixun nodded and began packing up his belongings.
The carriage was parked at the academy entrance, and Mei Shiyi waved to him. The sky had grown late, and the area around the academy was largely deserted. Feeling rather guilty because his poor focus and subpar performance had delayed Master Su from returning home so late, and seeing the man walk out carrying his zither, Meng Xueran thought of offering him a ride.
Meng Xueran took the initiative to invite him: “Master Su, let me take you home.”
Su Yixun declined, “That is too much trouble. I had better walk back myself. Teaching students is part of a teacher’s duty, you need not take it to heart.”
Meng Xueran said, “I simply wanted to use the carriage ride to ask Master Su for more guidance on things like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It is not an intentional attempt to butter you up. If Master Su minds, then I will not ask.”
“It is not that I mind.” Su Yixun suddenly found himself cornered. Getting into the carriage felt awkward, yet refusing felt even more inconsiderate. In the end, he was coaxed into getting aboard.
As the carriage rolled through the alley, Meng Xueran asked, “Is this position very important to Master Su?”
Su Yixun answered frankly, “It is indeed very important. I am impoverished, possess no physical strength or martial prowess, and am only moderately versed in the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I have no choice but to take on scholarly odd jobs, pardon my embarrassing situation.”
“So that is how it is.” Meng Xueran finally understood his meticulous seriousness. Perhaps securing a well-paying job like this was truly difficult, which was why he treated it with such exceptional care.
“Master Su is truly a wonderful teacher.”
“I hardly dare accept such praise. To be in one’s position and fulfill one’s duties is simply the baseline requirement for me.”
“Ah, almost forgot. Where does Master Su live?” Before an answer could be given, the carriage suddenly lurched violently, and something slammed against it repeatedly.
Mei Shiyi brought the carriage to a halt, hopped down to check the rear, and discovered another carriage tailing them closely and ramming into them continuously, while a group of troublemakers had inexplicably appeared ahead.
Caught in a pincer attack from front and back, seeing that the carriage was about to be overturned, Meng Xueran hurriedly led Su Yixun out of the carriage to take cover. “I am sorry, Master Su, I seem to have terrible luck lately.”
Mei Shiyi called out, “Who are you people? Why are you ramming the Prime Minister’s Estate’s carriage?”
The blocking thugs provocatively shouted, “Who is Mei Jiu? You better crawl out here right now and kowtow in apology to us!”
“Such arrogant tones, have I ever offended you?” Meng Xueran was completely clueless. He didn’t even know who these people were, yet he was inexplicably blocked in an alley, leaving him burning with frustration.
Su Yixun chimed in nervously, “If there is any misunderstanding, we should talk it out. Why resort to such aggression?”
One of them jumped forward and barked, “Mind your own business, or don’t blame our clubs for being blind! Well, well, you little pockmarked freak, you actually dared to bully the Princess! Do you really think you are worthy of marrying the Princess?”
Understanding dawned on Meng Xueran. “Oh, so you are here to stand up for the Princess?”
“Cut the crap, beat him!” Over a dozen men launched a pincer attack from front and back, charging forward with clubs in hand, wearing expressions of deep-seated hatred as if they wanted to tear him limb from limb.
Mei Shiyi drew his sword, but Meng Xueran stopped him, saying, “Do not use lethal force. These fools are merely being used. Protect Master Su and leave me be.”
“That will not do!” Mei Shiyi said anxiously. “What if you get hurt?”
Meng Xueran replied, “I can handle a few brainless thugs who only know parlor tricks.”
The group of young men infatuated with Bu Jinyu attacked Meng Xueran like madmen. Relying on their numerical advantage, they surrounded him in the center and swung their clubs continuously. He kicked one flying, only for another to leap forward.
His adoptive father had warned him that his internal injuries had not fully healed and he shouldn’t fight, so he focused strictly on defense rather than offense, using his sword to slice all their clubs in half before lashing out with heavy kicks that sent the young patricians howling in agony.
“Go to hell!” Two attackers ambushed him from behind. One clamped a chokehold around his neck while the other wound up a heavy punch and smashed it straight into his face. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and bruises bloomed across his skin.
Angered, Meng Xueran grabbed the hilt of his sword and lashed backward with brute force, sending one of them crashing unconscious to the ground. The scabbard emitted a sharp, buzzing hum.
The instant the sword was half-drawn, a piercing chill flashed through the air. His eyes brimbed with pure murderous intent as he grabbed one attacker and pressed the sharp blade against his throat, demanding, “Want to die? Or should I just slaughter the lot of you?”
“Ahhh, no, do not kill me!” The man trembled so violently his legs turned to jelly, nearly wetting himself in fright.
Meng Xueran applied the slightest pressure, and the blade grazed the skin, drawing a thin thread of blood that slowly trickled down. Instantly, no one dared to step forward again. He released his grip and warned, “Three seconds. If I still see you lingering here, my sword won’t have eyes either.”
Scared out of their wits, the group scrambled away in a panic, covering their heads as they vanished into the alleyway in the blink of an eye.
Mei Shiyi asked with concern, “Young master, are you alright?”
“Cough. I am fine.” Meng Xueran leaned against the overturned carriage, feeling a sharp pain throbbing in his chest. Fortunately, he hadn’t exerted too much force, so his meridians were uninjured. A good rest back home would set things right.
Just as he thought the provocations were over, another group of people emerged to surround them.
“No, is my horoscope cursed today?” Utterly speechless, Meng Xueran readied his sword. “Is this endless!”
Seeing this scene, Su Yixun looked even more terrified and panicked than he had during the physical brawl, scrambling backward frantically until a stray stone was hurled toward him, snapping the other two back to attention.
Meng Xueran shouted, “What do you think you are doing!”
A middle-aged man stepped forward and cursed, “To think you are actually associating with the son of a traitor and a sinner of Sheng! You are no better than him!”
“What are you talking about?” Meng Xueran was completely baffled.
The mob was holding bamboo baskets filled with stones, hurling them at Su Yixun as if he were their mortal enemy. With so many stones flying, someone could easily be killed.
Crying out in pain, Su Yixun crouched on the ground, shielding his head while desperately shouting, “No, my father is not a traitor, no!”
“Stop right there!” Suddenly, a man bolted forward, throwing himself in front of Su Yixun with a fierce expression. “What are you doing? Want to go to prison? Scatter at once!”
As Meng Xueran reached out to help Su Yixun up, the man aggressively blocked him, his face radiating blatant displeasure.